Breckenridge Texan

By Ben Barkley/TSTC

Texas State Technical College students will meet potential employers virtually as the college hosts its annual Industry Job Fair on Thursday, Oct. 29.

Due to COVID-19 recommendations for social distancing, TSTC will host the job fair online this year with more than 100 businesses offering representatives to meet virtually with TSTC students statewide.

Students will have access to a variety of companies, including health care, construction, engineering firms, public entities and utility companies. Some of the West Texas companies scheduled to have representatives available include Bruner Motors in Stephenville, Cogdell Memorial Hospital in Snyder, Eastland Memorial Hospital, Hendrick Health System in Abilene, Ludlum Measurements in Sweetwater and Mesa Springs Mental Health in Abilene.

With the job fair going virtual, students will have more opportunities to meet prospective employers, said Julia Humphrey, director of TSTC Career Services. “One of our disadvantages in West Texas is we are so spread out. Being able to do our job fair virtually will eliminate that distance,” she said.

In addition to Texas businesses, companies from California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma and Oregon will be available to speak with students.

Humphrey said current students are training on how to access the fair through their computers, as well as updating resumes. Career services representatives are also helping students with interview skills.

“We are getting the students ready to enter the workforce,” she said. “The companies are excited to be part of this virtual experience, and so are the students.”

This is the first time TSTC has held the event virtually. In the past, company officials set up booths in the Student Center on the Sweetwater campus. Humphrey said with the virtual event, students may visit with potential employers anytime during the fair.

“We want them to be successful with the process of talking to potential employers,” she said.

Students will have access to the fair through their hireTSTC accounts.

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Cutline, top photo: TSTC students are preparing resumes and working on interview skills for the virtual Industry Job Fair scheduled for Oct. 29. Note: This photo was taken prior to when COVID-19 safety protocols were in place at TSTC. (Photo by TSTC)